Doctor Who – New Doctor Announced – codename ‘Houdini’

– Matt Smith‘s 11th Doctor will depart in this year’s Christmas special
– New Doctor Who set to be unveiled during a ground-breaking live episode
– Their identity is being kept a secret using the codename ‘Houdini’
– Speculation is rife the new Doctor could be a woman for the first time
– Dame Helen Mirren and comedienne Miranda Hart are both in the running
– The Thick of It star Peter Capaldi has also been touted for the role

It has been two months since he announced he was leaving Doctor Who.

The new star of Doctor Who will be revealed in a special live programme on Sunday, the BBC has announced.

The half-hour show, presented by Zoe Ball, will feature an interview with the new lead, as well as 11th Doctor Matt Smith and executive producer Steven Moffat.

“The decision is made and the time has come to reveal who’s taking over the Tardis,” Moffat said.

“For the last of the Time Lords, the clock is striking twelve.”

Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor, is on BBC One at 7pm on 4 August.

According to the official announcement, Ball “will unveil the 12th Doctor in the first ever interview in front of a live studio audience set against the backdrop of a swirling vortex, amongst Daleks and the Tardis”.